UPDATED–Draft Day 2010: News on Two Former Mariner First-Rounders

Tonight kicks off the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft. The Mariners, because they signed Type-A Free Agent Chone Figgins from the Angels, forfeited their First Round Pick (#18 overall) to the Angels. So, we don’t have a First-rounder. But, coincidentally, two active, former First-Round Mariner selections have been in the news lately–and not for their excellent play.

Jeff Clement and Fellow Former Mariner Ronny Cedeno: Hardly Tearing It Up in Pittsburgh

Former First-Rounder, and third overall selection in 2005, Jeff Clement (as a catcher from USC), was featured in a piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today. Clement, you may remember, while tearing it up offensively in AAA Tacoma, was never able to hit at the MLB level. And, he lacked the necessary skills behind the plate–face it, he wouldn’t have been able to throw out Jose Lopez stealing third on a pitch-out. Jack Z traded him to Pittsburgh last year with Ronnie Cedeno, for Jack Wilson and Ian Snell.

The Mariner’s First-Round selection in 2007, and eleventh overall pick was Canadian pitcher, Phillippe Aumont. Initially drafted as a starter, the Mariners attempted to fast-track his rise to the big leagues by converting him to a reliever. Then, this past offseason, he was the centerpiece in the Mariner’s return package in the trade with the Phillies for Cliff Lee, who wanted to groom him into a starter. Aumont, prior to the 2008 season, was the #83 ranked prospect in baseball. The following year, prior to the 2009 season, he was ranked #93 overall. The Phillies placed Aumont in AA Reading, where he has struggled mightily thus far.

So, as the Mariners prepare to select 43rd overall, they will face less scrutiny than if they were making a top-5 selection. Nevertheless, Mariner fans will be anxious to see whether whoever the Mariners select will ever develop into an All-Star, or even a consistent everyday-type player.